Arlene Foster has offered to introduce legislation to “address culture and language issues” telling DUP supporters tonight: “We have nothing to fear from the Irish language nor is it any threat to the Union.”

In a speech to the DUP Executive in South Belfast, the former First Minister said she wants to “restore an Executive immediately” and “put Ministers back into posts so that decisions can be made and that Northern Ireland can have a government again”.

She said waiting lists are rising and education suffering while Stormont is suspended and that direct rule looms if an agreement cannot be reached between her party and Sinn Fein.

But in a move aimed at getting MLAs back at their desks, she added: “But we also agree to bring forward legislation to address culture and language issues in Northern Ireland within a time-limited period to be agreed. If we fail to do that in a way that commands cross community support then the Executive would cease to exist.

“This is an offer made in good faith with Northern Ireland and its people’s best interest at heart.”

She insisted her party has “previously supported practical measures for the Irish language and we will do so again if we can reach a wider agreement on these matters”.

But she added: “However what we cannot and will not do is simply agree to one-sided demands. I have also heard from those within the unionist community who hear others speaking about respect whilst at the same time they engage in a campaign to denigrate and demonise any and all aspects of our British identity in Northern Ireland or insult the Ulster-Scots community. That is not acceptable.”

Addressing the cultural issues currently feeding into the political impasse, she said they must be addressed so other pressing issues can be dealt with.

The party leader added: “In practical terms, Government actions and policy should be built around respect, recognition, representation and resource for the identities here.

“I truly believe that as small as Northern Ireland may be, there is sufficient space for our wealth of cultures to thrive side by side. As issues of identity, culture and language remain unresolved, what is becoming increasingly clear is that Northern Ireland needs government.

“When Departments are preparing for 12% cuts. When bowel cancer patients can’t access new tests that people in the rest of the UK can. And when small businesses can’t get the rates support they’re entitled to.

“You can see how a lack of decision making at the highest level of government is beginning to impact negatively of them lives to our people. It might be popular to talk Stormont down but any amount of negativity can’t mask the reality that devolution has delivered much for all of our people and that a locally elected Assembly and Executive are best placed to grapple with the challenges that Northern Ireland faces.

“Unless agreement can be found very quickly then London will be required to take decisions. Northern Ireland simply cannot continue without democratic oversight and that means the speedy introduction of direct rule if agreement is not reached.

“The DUP still wants devolution. We were prepared to restore the Executive 5 months ago and we have drawn no red lines and we are willing to enter Government immediately without pre-conditions.

“I want to get government up and going again not so the DUP can take up ministerial posts. But rather because we need an Executive in place to take crucial and increasingly pressing decisions on a raft of important issues such as public finances, health and education reform and infrastructure development.”

She dismissed Sinn Fein claims that many of the issues they cite as reason for Stormont being suspended “are not in fact part of previous agreements with this party and, in some cases the issues they pursue were not part of agreements with any party or Government in the past”.

She added: “I disagree with them that the issues that they are pushing are the most important that we face. That’s not me saying that language or culture isn’t important. To me - and to many - they just should not have a greater priority than health or education or the economy.

“But I understand and appreciate the need to deal with matters of culture and language in a mature way that aims to engender real respect for the multitude of cultures that co-exist in Northern Ireland today.

A night view of the illuminated Parliament Buildings at Stormont (Image: Getty)

“How then do we resolve these issues and establish the Executive and have the Northern Ireland Assembly sitting to do the business the people elected us to do?

“Well we can enter into another round of talks. Parties can state and restate their positions. All the while waiting lists will get longer, investment opportunities will be missed and Northern Ireland’s voice will continue to absent from Brexit negotiations.

“Or we can try something different. For our part, it is clear another prolonged talks process is little short of a waste of time unless there is some new thinking.

“I am putting forward a common sense solution that can give us the Executive we need and resolve outstanding issues. I am proposing that we restore an Executive immediately. Put Ministers back into posts so that decisions can be made and that Northern Ireland can have a government again.

“But we also agree to bring forward legislation to address culture and language issues in Northern Ireland within a time-limited period to be agreed. If we fail to do that in a way that commands cross community support then the Executive would cease to exist.”

The overture was later rejected by Sinn Fein, with northern leader Michelle O’Neill saying that “establishing an Executive that may collapse after a matter of months on the same issues will only fail all our people”.

She added: “Let’s agree to quickly conclude talks on implementation and rights, that is the only way to build a sustainable Executive that will last.”